The Lee Abbey Movement is a nationwide organisation whose mission and calling from God is to share Christ through relationships, through practising community living, reaching out to others, and developing our own relationship with our loving Father (see more about our faith here). It's an exciting challenge, and one that we love being a part of!
It all began here, in 1946. Lee Abbey Devon is a Conference, Retreat and Holiday Centre in a stunning 280-acre coastal estate where Exmoor meets the sea. It is run by an international Community of around 90 people of all ages and 20 nationalities who live and work there, offering hospitality, rest, activity and teaching to thousands of guests throughout the year.
www.LeeAbbey.org.uk/devon
Youth Camps have met in Devon, on a field at the bottom of the Lee Abbey estate, each summer since 1948. Young people aged between 13 and 25 come to have fun together and meet God in new ways for a week (13-18s) or two weeks (16-25s) during August.
http://camps.LeeAbbey.org.uk
In 1964, the "LAISC" was started as a "home from home" for students studying in London. Today, up to 150 students of many ethnic backgrounds live at the Club, and during the holidays it also welcomes members of the public who want to stay at a reasonable rate in central London for a few days! Lee Abbey London is run by an international Christian Community of approximately 40.
www.LeeAbbeyLondon.com
More recently, Lee Abbey has reached out to provide support and encouragement to individuals, families and churches in deprived city areas. Household Communities began at Aston (Birmingham) in 1988 and Knowle West (Bristol) in 1992. A Lee Abbey Household also ran at Blackburn from 1995 to 2006.
www.LeeAbbey.org.uk/households
The Beacon is the latest member of the Movement, and opened in Devon in 2004. It's a purpose-built stand-alone centre on the Devon site for exciting adventure holidays, designed for groups of young people and schools of all faiths and none. Indoor climbing, a low-ropes course, archery and orienteering are just some of the activities on offer – right on site.
www.TheBeaconYouthCentre.org.uk
Members of all our Communities move on to walks of life all over the country and the world, often equipped in no small part by their time at Lee Abbey. These Past Community members form a large and growing network who pray for and support each other and us. Members of the current Communities also pray for Past Community members by name after they leave.
www.LeeAbbey.org.uk/pastcommunity
All the while, the Movement has been fuelled by God through the vital prayer and support of thousands of Lee Abbey Friends. Thank you!
www.LeeAbbey.org.uk/friends